Historic Images of Sauk County Photo Gallery

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Collage of Allan Schmid's work

Sauk County, located in south central Wisconsin, boasts a plethora of cultural, historic and artistic activities and events that will intrigue and entertain.  The photos below are historic images of the rural Sauk County landscape - some which are no longer able to be seen in person. 

The Sauk County Historical Society, located in the historic Van Orden Mansion, offers a detailed driving guide of county historic sites. It is a helpful guide for the visitor or resident who wants to explore the Sauk County area and discover its rich human history, so peculiarly tied to the natural history. The book, Looking Into History includes a fold-out locator map of historic sites. (190 pages, 200 historic photographs).  There is a fee for the book; contact the Sauk County Historical Museum at (608) 356-1001.

Click on a photo to start the slideshow and enjoy the history that is Sauk County!
 

Click any thumbnail image to view a slideshow

Baraboo: North side of 3rd Street. Effinger Brewery beer wagon in front of Jacob's Palace Barber Shop.
Baraboo: The Warren Hotel, built in 1884, and located on the corner of Oak & 46` Av., was the largest in Baraboo with 58 rooms.
Baraboo: The Jacob Van Orden estate at 531 4th Avenue-current home of the Sauk County Historical Society.
Denzer: Denzer derives its name from William Denzer the village's first postmaster. In 1861 he donated land for a school, Zion C
Denzer: Harvesting ice near Denzer during the early 1900's. Ice was stored in sheds, insulated with sawdust. During the summer m
Hillpoint: Located in Washington Township, the village of Hillpoint, at one time, contained a feed mill, blacksmith shop, genera
Lake Delton: The Delton Post Office around 1913. Originally known as Norris in 1849, the village name was changed to Delton afte
Lake Delton: With the advent of the automobile and freedom of the open road, the Delton area became a prime attraction for trave
La Rue: The Illinois Iron mine was located near LaRue, ca. 1907. Iron was discovered here around the turn of the century with th
Lime Ridge: This 1908 photo highlights the business district of the village. Here depicted is the Meat Market and public telepho
Lime Ridge: First settled in the late 1850's, Lime Ridge took its name from a nearby ridge of lime stone. A dam and sawmill were
Loganville: Looking North in this 1921 photo, the first five buildings from left burned down in 1924. L-R in 1924: Farber Auto C
Loganville: Early 1900's. L-R, east side of street: Through the years the first building was a barber shop, doctor's office, pho
Loretto: This Irish community was located in Bear Creek Township. The general store and post office, left, served the needs of a
Merrimac: The village, depicted here around 1907, owes it existence to the ferry crossings established here beginning in the mid
Merrimac: The Merrimac Ferry in 1916. Local boatman were ferrying passengers and teams across the river in the 1850's. Owners su
Newport: The lost city of Newport was begun in 1853 when reports that a railroad bridge would cross the Wisconsin River at that
North Freedom: This 1906 photo shows the Lange & Knauss store, built in 1904, at the corner of Maple & Walnut Street's. The part
North Freedom: This 1904 photo shows the old Lange & Knauss Store on the corner of Maple & Walnut Streets. It was replaced by a
Plain: Main Street in early 1920's. L-R: Blacksmith Shop, Liegel Garage, Village Hall, Dr. P.H. Fowler's office, Post Office & I
Plain: Main Street in 1925. Incorporated in 1912, named after the shrine of the Virgin at Maria Plain in Germany. This German co
Prairie du Sac: Looking North on Water Street in this 1922 scene. The nearby Prairie du Sac power plant and dam across the Wisco
Reedsburg: The area was settled by James W. Babb in 1845, and the city named after David C. Reed, who owned much of the land in
Reedsburg: Built in 1896 at a cost of $20,000, the Hotel Stolte also housed a drug store, telephone exchange, baggage and readin
Sauk City: Chartered as a village in 1854, it takes its name from an Indian village built on the site in the 1740's. This view o
Sauk City: This view of South Water Street was taken ca. 1930's. Sauk City is the oldest incorporated village in Wisconsin. Note
Spring Green: Main Street looking west in 1908. Hardware & furniture store, second from left. Several stagecoach lines originate
Spring Green: Lexington Street in September, 1922. Note the railroad tracks, lower, and a sign, right, which reads "Watch out th
Whitemound: The ghost village of White Mound (also known as Billy Town) was located on the banks of Honey Creek, between Loganvi
Witwen: Located in Troy Township, the village of Witwen was settled in the mid-1800's when the Witwen Brothers built a sawmill t
Witwen: Witwen Roller Mill around 1867. A post office was established here in 1892.